Volume 80: Lady Sarah Macarthur letters to Elizabeth Macarthur-Onslow, 1863-1890

our dissipations been extended to two nights – for we had some excellent Music there Old Lady Glasgow was there at the dinner – & like our selves went on to Miss Bo She meeting her coming fatigues by sinking into slumber every now & then when the carriage came for us it brought the 2d Marsh girl who tho not so pretty as her elder sister looks very nice in the evening – & that one was very prettily dressed The ball was a very crowded one – her rooms are very large and were lovely with flowers we arrived a few minutes

before the Princess's – indeed one servt was in the act of calling out our names, while another fled up to say Princess!! so he hurriedly with another party went towards the entrance to the ball room, so that the coast was clear for their reception at the proper door – we went into the dancing room where we met Lady Mary & the Miss Farquhars – and after a small chat – went further into the room where Miss Bur dett – looking for those guests who had not been received properly came & shook hands with us – one wondered in such a crowd how she cd have told who – she had or had not seen

by chance our standing ground was about a yard from the Grand Duchess's chair & as she sat the chair from the Princess Mary we were close to all – the Princess Mary is so much the best looking – all the celebrities came to speak to them – The Duchess of Roxburghe sat a long time with them & Ps Mary danced with the Marquis of Beaumont – The Duchess after many looks at me through the glass seem'd to remember me & came up – she told me she had been at the Dukes of Devonshire just before & took nearly ½ hour to get from one house to the other She is still very handsome – The Marchioness of Ely was the

And by Saturday I expect the Whites must leave us – on the 21st Edward & I go to Nilli's rooms to see the P. of Wales distribute the prizes – on the 28" he dined at Lord Boltons – I wish I could add that we went to the State Ball on the 29 – Sir H. & Emmeline have been in

most singular in attire Might have done for a Fancy Ball, like a very old picture – the upper & [indecipherable] skirt so made as to appear as if the long train had been pulled through the pocket holes on either side – and her hair as if she had had a horrible fright – & while it was sinking down from being quite up on end that she had come in for a gale of wind – Old Sir Thos Cochrane Lady Minto Farquhar Mrs Alexandra Col: Crichton Stuart were I think about the sum total of those we saw to speak to, the paper next day told

better luck with their invitation – on the 30 Jny another dinner – which I think pays off most of our debts of hospitality – My mind is disturbed about my flowers so good bye I must off & see about them – Much love to you & Mother & Father to which Ed unites & ever believe me

us of many others being there we had not seen – Yesterday we were quiet – to day we have a croquet invite to Mrs Childers at 4-30 – we probably go for a little but we must come home soon as we have 15 at dinner – and I am at this moment writing keeping one eye on the street hoping to see the Railway Van arrive with one parcel to me of a basket of flowers from Richmond shd they not come soon I must send & buy some – our guests are Mr Mrs & Miss Wentworth Mr & Mrs Norman – Mr & Mrs Fitzgerald – Capts Morris – Bolton Gilmore – Mr Patrick & Mr Ralston – this should

Yr affte Aunt Sally